WINCHESTER had to settle for fourth spot in London 2 South-West as they finished their campaign with a couple of away defeats.

They aimed to match last season’s efforts with third but their much-changed side was beaten 52-18 at runaway leaders Cobham, following a narrow defeat at London Exiles.

It was the last game with head coach Andy Fields in charge – he is stepping aside after seven years in the hot seat.

“It’s had its moments”, he said. “Some I’ll remember with pride for the rest of my life, others I’d frankly rather forget.

“Despite losing to a much better team who might have beaten us out of sight but for our defensive commitment, I’ll remember today for its positives: 10 or 11 normally first-choice players missing, two coming off the bench for their first first-team games this season, and despite those disadvantages an unquenchable team spirit, and a determination to keep attacking that led to two great tries at the end.”

They came from Nye Rees and prop Jim Beaven, his fifth of the season, a conversion and two penalties, one from the halfway line, from Connor Breen.

Fields added: “I’m looking forward to next seasons as a spectator. We’ve built a squad that will go on improving. Promotion to London 1 South should, and I’m sure will, still be our target.”

Andover finished their season with a 29-5 home success over Effingham while Basingstoke went down to SW3 fighting – they gained their only win of the season with a 35-19 victory over Weybridge Vandals.